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Home » Skincare » Makeup Remover » Tip: Do not use cleansing oils around the eyes or why you should use a separate eye makeup remover

Tip: Do not use cleansing oils around the eyes or why you should use a separate eye makeup remover

March 27, 2012 Paris B 84 Comments

use a separate eye makeup remover
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When I last reviewed a cleansing oil I mentioned that it wasn’t much good at removing my waterproof eye makeup, but that I was not terribly fussed about it, because I no longer use cleansing oils around my eye area. Instead, these days, I use a separate eye makeup remover before using a cleansing oil which I then avoid using around my eye area.

Its nothing new, to be perfectly honest, but the ball as they say, has just dropped for me as to why I should be doing this. And it comes down to the fragile skin around the eyes and how cleansing oils may result in your having more lines around your eyes. Just my thoughts ok, nothing scientifically proven so don’t go jumping all over me 😉

The principle behind a lot of cleansing oils for the face is that you massage it into your skin in order for it to lift away the dirt from your skin and even deep cleanse your skin. Some cleansing oils are I find more effective than others in doing this, and when I do use it properly, I feel gritty bits under my fingers as I massage the oil on my skin.

The other benefit of using a cleansing oil is just how easy it is to have a 1 step process of makeup removal and face cleansing in one. I used to just step into the shower, slather cleansing oil all over my face and remove my makeup. However, I would notice that for the most part, eye makeup is one of the most stubborn to remove, especially when you use a waterproof mascara. Even if it says it removes easily, you will find that you have to massage the eye area a little more, to loosen up the mascara to be washed away.

This is what stuck in my mind one day as I was “rubbing” my eye area. No matter how gentle my actions were, the daily repeated rubbing/massaging and stretching of the skin around the eyes can’t be very beneficial. Goodness knows just how much damage I might have already done over the years 😛

On the other hand, when I use a separate eye makeup remover, I find that movement of the skin around the eye area is reduced. I usually wet a piece of cotton pad with eye makeup remover, place over my eye for a minute or so, then wipe off. And for the most part, it does wipe off most of my eye makeup. If my mascara is being stubborn, I rub it a little more but without rubbing the whole eye area – just the lashes.

Granted, makeup removal now takes a bit longer due to this extra step, but I personally believe that its more beneficial to my skin around the eyes in the long run. Oh one more thing. Some cleansing oils can lead to oil seeds or milia if not properly emulsified so that’s another reason not to use cleansing oils around the eye area 🙂

Do you also use a separate eye makeup remover? Or do you prefer to stick to cleansing oils for a quick one step process? Have you given this some thought? Like I said, this tip is probably nothing new, but something that’s just struck me so I hope its useful for someone 😉

Paris B

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About Paris B

Paris B is a 40-something beauty and skincare enthusiast with a practical and very critical view of beauty products and the world of beauty. Her mission on My Women Stuff is to deliver clear, honest reviews and facilitate discussions about beauty trends and life, tempered with a healthy dose of humour. Let the buyer's remorse be ours not yours! When not testing the newest skincare creams and lotions, or playing with makeup, find her testing her culinary skills in the kitchen at Chez PB. Read more about us here or leave a comment below or connect with us on social media at Instagram, Facebook and Twitter!

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84 comments ... Read or JOIN THE DISCUSSION

  1. LeGeeque says

    March 27, 2012 at 8:47 am

    Ugh. Very good point. I do it all in one go though I try to be a little more gentle around the eye area. ><

    Reply
    • Paris B says

      March 27, 2012 at 10:22 am

      I used to too, but getting older, I figured I better start taking a little more care 😛

      Reply
  2. electronicfly says

    March 27, 2012 at 8:54 am

    … I use biphase eye & lip makeup remover for everything 😛

    Reply
    • Paris B says

      March 27, 2012 at 10:23 am

      Even face makeup?!

      Reply
      • electronicfly says

        March 27, 2012 at 10:29 am

        Yup. Since my eyeliner and mascara’s the only waterproof items (read: toughest to remove) I always use a biphase, and if it’s good enough to remove waterproof, it should be good enough to remove everything else lo 😛

        It might seem expensive, but I don’t use makeup all that often, and not that much remover is used actually, maybe 3, 4 soaked pads? I do wash my face after though most times

        Reply
        • Paris B says

          March 27, 2012 at 10:35 am

          Ah that makes sense and you’re right. If it can remove your waterproof makeup, everything else would be a no brainer 🙂 Also makes sense to not have to buy a separate face makeup remover if you don’t use makeup daily. I use my oil cleanser as part of my skincare regime so I don’t consider it as a makeup remover, just a happy coincidence 😀

          Reply
  3. makeup.addict says

    March 27, 2012 at 9:15 am

    I agree. I started using a separate eye makeup remover about a year after I started on the cleansing oil madness as it just takes too much work to remove waterproof mascara using cleansing oils. I found that I would always have panda eyes whenever I wake up in the morning if I don’t use a separate eye makeup remover before cleansing my face. No matter how amazing a cleansing oil is, it can never seem to remove my MUFE Aqua Smoky Lash. Also, just like you, the extra tugging on my eyes started to bug me as I am overtly conscious of getting premature fine lines and wrinkles. Which is probably the reason why I LOATHE using cleansing wipes/towelettes.

    Reply
    • Paris B says

      March 27, 2012 at 10:23 am

      Waterproof mascara is awesome stuff especially in our humidity but the removal! Urgh! Glad to know we had the same thoughts re: tugging of skin and are doing something about it! 😀

      Reply
  4. Hanny says

    March 27, 2012 at 9:41 am

    Right, you have just inspired me to go look for more bi-phase makeup removes. >.< I love cleansing oils, but they can't take off gel liners, especially Inglot's. My eyes really… won't be able to suffer through the, er… abuse I'm forcing them to go through.

    Reply
    • Paris B says

      March 27, 2012 at 10:25 am

      I don’t have a problem with gel liners because its usually the mascara that gets to me. That said, I haven’t tried Inglot’s though I hear they are pretty awesome stuff. Better get into a good eye care practice while still young 🙂

      Reply
  5. Joyce says

    March 27, 2012 at 9:52 am

    I use a dual phase eye makeup remover, such as Chanel Demaquillant Yeux Intense remover or the Sonia Kashuk version. A cotton pad wipes off most of my eye makeup and waterproof eyeliner, but waterproof mascara is a little tricky to remove. I don’t recommend rubbing your eye area because it’s the most delicate area of the face and the skin of the under eye area is very thin. Rubbing can cause premature wrinkles around that area. So to remove waterproof mascara, I recommend using a q-tip. Get some eye makeup remover on the q-tip and gently clean your lashes. That method is much easier than using a cotton pad and it completely removes all the waterproof mascara, effortlessly. =)

    Reply
    • Paris B says

      March 27, 2012 at 10:25 am

      Great tip about using a Q-tip Joyce, thanks! 🙂 I will have to try that for the very stubborn liners or mascara and that will minimize rubbing even further yay! 😀

      Reply
  6. Issa says

    March 27, 2012 at 9:56 am

    Oh no! I am using cleansing oils to remove my makeup even on the eye area! aaaahhhh, gotta buy an aye makeup remover ASAP! Thanks PB! 🙂

    Reply
    • Paris B says

      March 27, 2012 at 10:26 am

      LOL! Did I just make the sales of eye makeup removers go up? 😀 I think its good practice because we don’t “torture” the skin around the eye so much – I do sometimes still use the cleansing oil when I forget to remove my makeup first before hitting the shower, but at least for the most part I don’t 🙂

      Reply
      • Issa says

        March 27, 2012 at 10:32 am

        I actually use an eye makeup remover before but ever since I started using cleansing oils I thought that could also be used around the eyes. But you gave a very good explanation 🙂 Thanks again 🙂

        Reply
        • Paris B says

          March 27, 2012 at 10:35 am

          You and me both Issa 😉 But now you know and now you can take a little bit of extra care to protect the skin around the eyes 😉

          Reply
  7. Monstro says

    March 27, 2012 at 9:57 am

    Great tip! I never thought about it….will bear that in mind when I use my oil cleanser. 🙂

    Reply
    • Paris B says

      March 27, 2012 at 10:27 am

      One extra step for busy mommies but I think, worth it 😉

      Reply
  8. shusheshe says

    March 27, 2012 at 10:01 am

    I always use a separate eye makeup remover, simply because I think cleansing oils dry out the skin around my eyes a bit too much.

    Reply
    • Paris B says

      March 27, 2012 at 10:28 am

      That’s a good thought too! I don’t find them drying but sometimes, when the oil gets in my eyes and then it emulsifies and I get blurry milky vision, it really bugs me! So this way, I avoid that problem now 😀

      Reply
  9. sharon says

    March 27, 2012 at 10:02 am

    I tried using cleansing oils to help remove my eye makeup cos well I am lazy lol but they dont work and get into my eyes and create a bigger mess which is just gross.. So I now religiously use a bi-phase eye makeup remover.. Loreal is good everytime but I am now venturing into Bourjois’ biphase makeup remover and it is as effective but slightly gentler.. 🙂

    Reply
    • Paris B says

      March 27, 2012 at 10:29 am

      Haha! I know exactly what you mean about the oil getting into your eyes, Sharon! When that happens to me, and it turns all milky and cloudy, urgh! Its awful! Some oils take even longer to clear which is worse. Good to know about Bourjois – we don’t have the brand here but I’ll bear it in mind for when I next come to a Bourjois counter 🙂

      Reply
  10. Nikki says

    March 27, 2012 at 10:08 am

    I quickly pass through the cleansing oil only on the “lid” area during washing then would go continue with separate eye makeup remover for those hard to reach gel liners and mascara 🙂 I agree with you, the extra step is a hassle but worth it as it is our eyes! and we only have a set !

    Reply
    • Paris B says

      March 27, 2012 at 10:29 am

      Yes! And we don’t want to have wrinkly crepey eyes that look older than we are 😀

      Reply
  11. Sam says

    March 27, 2012 at 10:09 am

    I use a separate eye makeup remover. Didn’t even occur to me to use cleansing oil- probably because I am good at getting stuff in my eyes accidently!

    Reply
    • Paris B says

      March 27, 2012 at 10:30 am

      You know what? I got cleansing oils in my eyes all the time and STILL didn’t think about using a separate eye makeup remover *facepalm*

      Reply
  12. Ying says

    March 27, 2012 at 10:11 am

    hey paris! i think if you’d like a more natural form of a “makeup remover”, you could try olive oil instead 😀 i find that it works wells, plus it’s good for your skin. it doesn’t cause breakouts and such 🙂

    Reply
    • Paris B says

      March 27, 2012 at 10:32 am

      Thanks for the suggestion Ying. Unfortunately I cannot use olive oil on my skin as it makes me break out so any skincare product that contains olive oil (including Hada Labo Oil Cleanser) is a big no no for me.

      Reply
  13. Rane Chin says

    March 27, 2012 at 11:16 am

    I always use cleansing oil as one step make up removal although I have a few bottles of eye&lips makeup removal. Thanks Paris for your advice I’ll try to be more hardworking today onwards, hopefully my eyes will stop aging from more gentle care hahaha

    Reply
    • Paris B says

      March 28, 2012 at 10:20 am

      Yup! I was doing the whole one step thing too but decided it was time I did something before my eyes look older than the rest of me LOL!

      Reply
  14. Cas says

    March 27, 2012 at 11:36 am

    I’m afraid of cleansing oils, not sure how they’d work well with sensitive skin. But you got a good point with the eye area, gotta be extra gentle. I”m using Simple’s cleansing lotion for both face and eye, works well for me and it’s cheap too 🙂

    Reply
    • Paris B says

      March 28, 2012 at 10:27 am

      For the most part, I think cleansing oils are fine for sensitive skins. They are no worse than normal makeup removers 🙂 I used to use Simple back in the day. Haven’t thought about the brand in a while!

      Reply
  15. Kel says

    March 27, 2012 at 11:42 am

    I only use cleansing oil to remove everything when i’m travelling coz i cant be bothered to lug so much stuff for my face..haha…otherwise when i’m at home, i try to use eye make up remover+milky cleanser instead of cleansing oil.

    Reply
    • Paris B says

      March 28, 2012 at 10:27 am

      Oh good call Kel. When travelling, I do tend to just go with the all in one too to save space 😀

      Reply
  16. Jyoan says

    March 27, 2012 at 11:55 am

    I am still sticking to the cleansing oil 1-step process. haha, the laziness gets to me. But I do have the Biore one opened right now. And so, I will try to remember to use it, so that it doesn’t stands there and expire before I know it.

    Plus, I do really, really love the Biore Pink one so much more than other eye makeup removers (like the L’oreal one). haha, you have them both featured in the picture!

    I basically try to pair things up. If I know my mascara and liner are not too stubborn, I stick with cleansing oil.

    BUT, if I am sure my mascara is the stubborn one, and I know I lined my water line quite a lot, I will use the Biore.

    Kind of really depends on which mascara/liner I chose that day.

    Reply
    • Paris B says

      March 28, 2012 at 10:29 am

      I actually think the Biore eye makeup remover works a little better than the L’Oreal one too. I’ve been alternating them to finish them up but I find the Biore cleans off more easily. If my mascara is less stubborn I go with L’Oreal but for the very stubborn ones I go with Biore. Don’t need an expensive remover at all! 😀

      Reply
  17. plue says

    March 27, 2012 at 12:19 pm

    I usually use cleansing oil to remove everything, but if on that particular day I just use some mascara and nothing else on the eyes, I’d use eye makeup remover.

    Reply
    • Paris B says

      March 28, 2012 at 10:31 am

      Do you find the whole rubbing around the eye thing bad for the eyes? I mean, I am always extra gentle but still, I do realise there is some rubbing.

      Reply
      • plue says

        March 28, 2012 at 11:10 am

        I find that if your cleansing oil is capable of taking off heavy duty mascara and liners, the rubbing isn’t really that much already. Or just soak a bit of cleansing oil onto some cotton pads and gently take it off. Likewise, if you are using eye makeup removers that doesn’t do well in cleaning off heavy duty mascara and liners, you still involve do a bit more rubbing than usual.

        okla, i rub my eyes when i am sleepy, so… the rubbing from cleansing oil/ eye makeup remover doesn’t bother me as much d 😛

        Reply
  18. lingzy says

    March 27, 2012 at 12:31 pm

    I’m using Mandom Express’s eye & face make up removal. So far so good! Love both of them!
    🙂

    Reply
    • Paris B says

      March 28, 2012 at 10:31 am

      I have a Mandom something lying around that I remember I quite liked! I shall go dig it out again 😀

      Reply
  19. Swati says

    March 27, 2012 at 2:05 pm

    I use almond oil or baby oil to remove the sunscreen and even I feel the grittiness and can literally see the gunk coming off my face. I prefer using almond oil on my eye area and I used to think that since its oil, it provides slip to the skin so it doesn’t really result in rubbing around the skin or pulling of the skin and that used to happen when I used nivea cleansing milk. And, I often apply more of oil to give me better slip on the skin and I generally avoid pulling any area of the face not only the eyes.

    Reply
    • Paris B says

      March 28, 2012 at 10:39 am

      Thanks for sharing Swati. I am very wary about using straight oils due to a very bad experience with olive oil a couple of years ago but its good to know that almond oil does the job for you.

      Reply
      • Swati says

        March 28, 2012 at 2:07 pm

        oh!!! what happened??? I have heard many complaints about olive oil recently…did it cause milia??

        Reply
        • Paris B says

          March 30, 2012 at 5:31 pm

          Nope I didn’t get Milia but olive oil breaks me out quite badly. I get cystic acne so I stay away from skincare that contains olive oil now.

          Reply
  20. Amanda says

    March 27, 2012 at 3:58 pm

    I only use L’oreal eye and lips makeup remover (the exact same one in your photo) to remove my eye make-up. I’ve been using this remover for ages and have no intention to replace it. It’s very gentle for my sensitive eyes. Since I only wear waterproof mascara, the normal makeup remover will never remove it completely.

    Reply
    • Paris B says

      March 28, 2012 at 10:43 am

      I like the L’Oreal one too and have been using it all this while 🙂 The Biore one is good too and for some more stubborn eye makeup, even better than L’Oreal I find. If you have a chance to try it, do! 😉

      Reply
      • Amanda says

        March 28, 2012 at 3:40 pm

        I’ve tried the Biore one before. My sister is using it. It stung my eyes the first time I used it. Bummer!

        Reply
        • Paris B says

          March 30, 2012 at 5:32 pm

          Oh that sucks! 🙁 But still, glad the L’Oreal one works – cheap and good can’t be beat 😉

          Reply
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